Terrier dog breeds are a tenacious group of dogs. They come in all different shapes and sizes from all over the world. They are loved for their courage, energy, and heart.

In the right home, the terrier dog breeds make outstanding active companions. These feisty dogs have won over the hearts of many people and continue to push their way into many more.

Terrier Dog Breeds

Terriers are known for their sassy personalities and their penchant for picking fights with much larger dogs. So in this list, we are counting down the top 10 terrier breeds that have been able to win the hearts of people all over the world.

Miniature Schnauzer

  • Temperament: Friendly, Smart, Obedient
  • Height: 12-14 inches
  • Weight: 11-20 pounds
  • Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes

Miniature Schnauzer

Pros

  • Tolerates being alone
  • Affectionate with family
  • Easy to train
  • Adapts well to apartment living
  • Tolerates cold and hot weather
  • Intelligent
  • Low drooling potential
  • Low potential for mouthiness (chew, nip, etc.)

Cons

  • Not for novice owners
  • Shedding
  • Not easy to groom
  • Potential for weight gain
  • High grooming needs

General Information:

The schnauzer is originally a working breed from Germany. But the miniature schnauzer was created when farmers needed a ratting dog. So they cross-bred the schnauzer with small terrier breeds. This created a dog that looked like a schnauzer but was absolutely terrier in personality.

They are friendly and intelligent but alert. Minis are lively pleasant and playful with expressive personalities.

These loyal and devoted small dogs want to be totally involved in all family activities and love to go for walks. Most minis are good with children but are a little too small to be a toddler’s pet. They will generally get along fine with other family pets. But since they are terriers, they can be feisty toward other dogs.

Early socialization and obedience training will help with controlling excessive barking and a reluctance to walk on a leash. This breed can be taught easily and can even excel at advanced obedience competitions.

miniature schnauzer facts

West Highland White Terrier

  • Temperament: Loyal, Happy, Entertaining
  • Height: 11 inches (male). 10 inches, female
  • Weight: 15-20 pounds
  • Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
  • Coat: Double
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes

West Highland White Terrier

Pros

  • Affectionate with family
  • Dog Friendly
  • Adapts well to apartment living
  • Good for novice owners
  • Tolerates cold weather
  • Kid-friendly
  • Intelligent
  • Easy to Train
  • Low drooling potential
  • Low potential for mouthiness (chew, nip, etc.)

Cons

  • Does not tolerate being alone
  • Shedding
  • Potential for weight gain
  • High prey drive
  • Tendency to bark or howl

General Information

The west highland white terrier is also known as westie. Westie is a Scottish breed that is known for its white coat. They are active and independent dogs that enjoy playtime with their owners.

They’re generally not recommended for families with small children or other small animals. But they can be a great companion for the right parents. The west highland white is cheerful bold, assertive, courageous, inquisitive, and has a great deal of personality.

This small white dog needs to get involved in everything that is happening in the home. The westie is easier to handle and friendlier than many other terriers. But still needs his daily walks and place essence.

Westies will try and dominate dogs of the same sex. But otherwise, they get along better with other dogs and cats than most other terriers.

The westie still has its hunting prey drive and shouldn’t be let off leash except in a fenced enclosed area. The westie is very possessive of its toys and food and doesn’t like to be handled by young children.

Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier

  • Temperament: Friendly, Happy, Deeply Devoted
  • AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 53 of 197
  • Height: 18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female)
  • Weight: 35-40 pounds (male), 30-35 pounds (female)
  • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

soft-coated wheaten terrier

Pros

  • Affectionate with family
  • Dog Friendly
  • Adapts well to apartment living
  • Good for novice owners
  • Friendly toward strangers
  • Kid-friendly
  • Intelligent
  • Easy to Train
  • Less prone to illness
  • Low drooling potential
  • Low potential for mouthiness (chew, nip, etc.)

Cons

  • High Sensitivity level
  • Wonderlust potential
  • Does not tolerate being alone
  • Does not tolerate cold weather

General Information

The soft-coated wheaten terrier is an Irish breed most known for its single-layer coat making it a good choice for those with allergies.

They were originally all-purpose farm dogs used for herding, hunting, and guarding property and livestock. But now they’re energetic playful and social dogs that make great companions for people of all ages.

The wheaten terrier is cheerful active busy playful and affectionate. It is independent and self-confident but also fairly intelligent and eager to learn. Wheaten puppies should be socialized early with other dogs and strangers.

The breed is fairly easy to train if you can get their attention. Wheaten get along fine with older children or it can be too playful and assertive with young ones.

wheaten’s are also much more sociable than most other Terriers. but we’ll still need obedience training to control their active and assertive nature.

Bull terrier

  • Temperament: Playful, Charming, Mischievous
  • AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 62 of 197
  • Height: 21-22 inches
  • Weight: 50-70 pounds
  • Life Expectancy: 12-13 years

bull terrier

Pros

  • Affectionate with family
  • Dog Friendly
  • Kid-friendly
  • Adapts well to apartment living
  • Friendly toward strangers
  • Easy to groom
  • Less prone to illness
  • Low drooling potential
  • Intelligent
  • Easy to Train
  • Low tendency to bark or howl

Cons

  • High Sensitivity level
  • Does not tolerate being alone
  • Potential for weight gain
  • Prey drive
  • Wanderlust potential
  • Does not tolerate cold weather
  • Potential for mouthiness (chew, nip, etc.)

General Information

The bull terrier is also known as the bully. Bull terrier has a unique heritage.

They were created by crossing bulldogs and terriers to participate in both vermin control and blood sports like bull and bear-baiting. Thankfully these sports are not allowed today. And the bull terrier has developed into an active loving and rewarding companion.

They are great with children of all ages and do well in an active family. The bull terrier is a lively and powerful dog. They’re fearless, assertive comical, and mischievous.

This large breed is loyal affectionate and can make a good family pet. They are probably too exuberant for small children. But they will do fine with considerable older children.

Bullies need a lot of attention and may not be the best choice for the city unless they’re involved in lots of family activities. These dogs can be quite strong-willed and are difficult to train.

Male bullies especially those who haven’t been neutered can be extremely aggressive with other male dogs and even other pets.

bull terrier facts

Airedale Terrier

  • Temperament: Friendly, Clever, Courageous
  • AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 60 of 197
  • Height: 23 inches
  • Weight: 50-70 pounds
  • Life Expectancy: 11-14 years
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes

Airedale Terrier

Pros

  • Affectionate with family
  • Dog Friendly
  • Kid-friendly
  • Less shedding
  • Low drooling potential
  • Intelligent
  • Easy to Train

Cons

  • Doesn’t Adapts well to apartment living
  • Not for novice owners
  • Does not tolerate being alone
  • Not easy to groom
  • Potential for weight gain
  • Potential for mouthiness (chew, nip, etc.)
  • Tendency to bark or howl
  • wanderlust potential

General Information

Airedale terrier is the largest of the terrier breeds. Airedale is an english breed that was originally used to hunt otters because of their courage and loyalty to their owners. They have also been used as military and police dogs as well as guide dogs.

They’re intelligent and independent but deeply loyal to their families. Even the medium-sized airedale terrier is larger than most other terriers and has a smooth temperament and sweet disposition.

Although some airedales can get into fights with other dogs. This terrier is dignified, patient, loyal, and intelligent. And makes a great companion dog that loves to play with children. The airedale should be supervised with young children as it may be too boisterous for them.

They can be trained to a high level as anything from a guard dog or watchdog to a seeing-eye dog. Little puppies are playful and exuberant. And obedience training should be started early and reinforced through adulthood by a knowledgeable owner

Airedale Terrier fact